Eating Disorders Among Adults - Bulimia Nervosa Statistics

Bulimia nervosa is characterized by recurrent and frequent episodes of eating unusually large amounts of food (e.g., binge-eating), and feeling a lack of control over the eating. This binge-eating is followed by a type of behavior that compensates for the binge, such as purging (e.g., vomiting, excessive use of laxatives or diuretics), fasting and/or excessive exercise. Unlike anorexia nervosa, people with bulimia can fall within the normal range for their weight. But like people with anorexia, they often fear gaining weight, want desperately to lose weight, and are intensely unhappy with their body size and shape.

1. 1.5% of American women suffer from bulimia nervosa in their lifetime.
2. SMR for Bulimia Nervosa is 1.93.
3. Nearly half of bulimia patients have a comorbid mood disorder.
4. More than half of bulimia patients have comorbid anxiety disorders.
5. Nearly 1 in 10 bulimia patients have a comorbid substance abuse disorder, usually alcohol use.